[Lowfer] Fenceline longwire

[J. B. Weazle McCreath]

Hello LFers & Lowfers,

I've been testing a 1200 foot end fed longwire mounted on
an existing fence-line and coupled to the receiver with a
3:1 turns ratio isolation transformer.  The antenna is 3
feet off the ground, with the far end left un-terminated.
The "ground" for the cold end of the antenna winding is
a stainless steel screwnail driven into the trunk of a
cedar tree at ground level.

The antenna is aligned 50/230 degrees true, which from my
QTH favours Europe/UK off the front and the mid-west U.S.
off the back.  Listening to ATC frequencies from Gander
and Shanwick in the 2500 to 3000 kHz. range, the longwire
is several S units stronger and MUCH quieter than my 80 M
inverted V.

On 500 kHz. I've been able to copy the XGR transmissions
with better signal strength than off my PA0RDT mini-whip
or untuned delta loop.  The same holds true for listening
around the broadcast LW & MW bands or NDB chasing.
The greatest advantage is that signals are well above the
noise on the longwire.  

Thinking outside the box can sometimes yield a surprising
result, if that's the only option you've got!

73, J.B., VE3EAR - VE3WZL
Solar and wind powered
Lowfer " EAR"  188.830
EN93dr

http://www.hurontel.on.ca/~weazle